Despite inequalities...I would rather be in Texas...

[RadioRaheem84]

After watching Adam Curtis's brilliant documentary The Trap, I came to the conclusion that I am glad I live in Texas and not in Massachusetts. Here is why:

One of Curtis's main points (which I believe is spot on) is that government, both in the UK and the US, has adopted market measures to ensure efficiency in the public sector. This has backlashed and created number fudging the likes that are only seen in the manipulation of the markets. So now this has created a bad case of politics AND business in the UK.

To tie it back home, under the Clinton administration the same thing happened and has actually created just as much if not more inequalities than in the Reagen/Thatcher years. Clinton, by adopting a market model to run government has damaged the public infrastructure and given too much control of public life over to the private sector. Now citizens have less public representation and a shoddy market system. With this system in place; the ultra rich move up 200%, the middle class stays stagnate or fluctuates up and down about 10%, while the bottom class sinks down 50%.

So the options given to us are "Liberal-New Democracts" or Conservatives who both share an equal appreciation of free markets.

Now, given all this. I would still rather live in Texas, a red state, because of what I actually saw when I visited the Northeast. The class distinctions up there were staggering and the cost of living seemed illegal. It seemed that with all of the "liberal" talk up there they sure let the businesses get around the regulations the politicians set up for them, only to have the companies jack up the price on the general public. Atleast in Texas, while no better, there is more freedom to move around and easier access to work. I feel like I can afford nearly everything the city of Houston has to offer to an extent. Low Middle class people (such as my family) can still eat at the same resturant as some of the richest in Houston and somewhat enjoy a modest life. Plenty of people in my "class" can live modestly and mingle with people who are way over their class range. Point is, if you can budget it right, you can make it look like you have money, because the low cost living of Texas can help your materialistic dreams.

I saw nearly none of this in the "Liberal" cities. Boston, DC, New York, were all segregated by class. It was unbelievable. I was always used to thinking, living in Houston, that as long as you had the means to afford something that no one would stop you from aquiring it. Oh how wrong I was. I really felt dirt poor while in New York City and I felt my class. It seemed like the workers in New York riding home in the subway were hopeless. The way they work is staggering too! Hustle and bustle like no other for low pay in an area they cannot even afford to live or shop in! Liberal my f-ing arse! I would take a conservative in Texas anyday over a Wall Street Liberal Republican or New Democrat to run my city.

Now most of the stuff I saw in NYC and Boston is slowly creeping into Houston little by little. The prices are rising here too as Houston is moving closer and closer into fitting the LA/NY model.

I would rather live in Austin then in San Fran. or Boston or New York.

[Raúl Duke]

Maybe those class divisions are why they are "liberal"...?

Even in the South you can see class division just like those major cities. One example is Miami. Although I can also "mingle" with the children of the rich (of Latin America)...not that it makes me any happier per se. My only best friend in Miami lives in Hialeah is part of the lower "middle class." (or maybe lower or a bit higher...but not the same level as most of the people in Doral, Fl. Although I seen some more working class, I suppose, kids in my school too...)

[Faux Real]

Have you been to San Fran? There are plenty movements to unionize domestic workers and the like, as well as the large presence of a radical left with the many protests for various causes every month. A quasi-socialist candidate almost won the second to last mayoral race.

[RadioRaheem84]

I have never been to San Francisco but I have heard that the cost of living there is staggering. I hear its pretty much just rich and poor with a small middle class. Most of the stuff thats "left" in America is simply bread and circus for the people while the rich control the metro areas. Look, every day I am seeing more and more California license plates and how people tell me to stay in Texas because if you don't have loads of money its pointless to live in any major city in California.
Did they not release a study like two years ago saying that just over 50% of the people in LA live at or below the poverty line?


Maybe those class divisions are why they are "liberal"...?

Even in the South you can see class division just like those major cities. One example is Miami. Although I can also "mingle" with the children of the rich (of Latin America)...not that it makes me any happier per se. My only best friend in Miami lives in Hialeah is part of the lower "middle class." (or maybe lower or a bit higher...but not the same level as most of the people in Doral, Fl. Although I seen some more working class, I suppose, kids in my school too...)

Well in Miami, I agree, there is a level of that too considering it is the most expensive city in the South, but I highly doubt it reaches the level of NY or LA. I have been there too and I didn't find the city inaccessible. Most workers in towns like Houston and Miami go out of their way to save up their paychecks to buy the latest digs to flash at the clubs to make it look like they have money.
But you're right, the class divisions are still there in the South. They're just not as openly visible as in the North or the West because here they have to cater to the huge middle class.

[bezdomni]

There are a lot of Maoists in Houston, you know?